HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025 Town Of Lansing Historian Report (July–December)Town of Lansing Yearly Report
Date of Report: December 19, 2025
Town Historian
Sheri Lacko Munson
Reporting Period: July–December 2025
Introduction and Appointment
I was appointed Town of Lansing Historian on July 16, 2025. The past six months have been an active and
productive period of transition, learning, and public engagement. I extend my sincere thanks to Fannie
Welch for her many years of dedicated service as Town Historian and her assistance to Louise Bement, our
long-time Lansing historian; to John Howell, President of the Lansing Historical Association, and the
members of the Lansing Historical Association for their warm welcome and ongoing assistance; and to
Town Supervisor Ruth Groff for her support.
Since my appointment, I have focused on familiarizing myself with the archive building, its collections, and
existing organizational systems, while also working to expand public access and begin planning for future
preservation and commemorative efforts.
JULY 2025
July 16: Official appointment as Town Historian.
July 29: Attended Lansing Historical Association meeting.
Continued orientation to the archive building, documents, and historic artifacts.
AUGUST 2025
August 5: Met with John Howell and Susan Gutenberger, Town Library Director, to discuss potential
display area for an Eagle Scout project, potential library storage space for sensitive archival
documents, and other archive needs.
August 5: Met with John Howell and Pat Tyrrell to discuss laptops, software, scanning equipment,
and budget needs for future digitization of archival materials, and early planning for the United
States 250th anniversary.
Conducted research for the Town of Lansing "Founding Story" essay for submission to NYAOT for the
U.S. 250th Anniversary.
August 26: Hosted evening open archive hours (4:30–6:00 PM); 1 visitor.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
1
Preserved two newly discovered historical documents using Mylar film.
Continued reading and research of local history books authored by past town historians and the
1994 historical context narrative.
August: One-page introduction of myself published in the Lansing Historical Association newsletter,
sharing my interest in local history and future goals.
SEPTEMBER 2025
September 13 (Second Saturday): Attended Tompkins County Historian and Municipal Historians
meeting (10:00–11:15 AM).
September 30: Hosted open archive hours (4:15–6:30 PM); 2 visitors.
September 30: Attended Lansing Historical Association meeting.
OCTOBER 2025
October 11 (Second Saturday): Archive building open for research (10:00 AM–12:00 PM) by archive
volunteers.
October 21: Hosted open archive hours (4:15–6:30 PM); 3 visitors.
October 21: Community planning meeting for the U.S. 250th Anniversary (6:00 PM).
October 26: Submitted Town of Lansing "Founding Story" essay to the NYAOT for the United States
250th Anniversary of Independence. Essay will be shared in a future issue of the Lansing Historical
Association newsletter. If chosen, NYAOT will highlight Lansing, NY at their annual meeting.
Reached out to Lansing Middle School teachers regarding possible student participation in 250th
anniversary activities.
Conducted research related to Ludlowville history, including review of the Genoa Historical Society
website and the Genoa Tribune.
NOVEMBER 2025
November 8 (Second Saturday): Archive building open for research (10:00 AM–12:00 PM); 2
visitors, including individuals interested in historic signage and waterfront trail markers.
November 18: Hosted open archive hours (4:15–6:30 PM); 2 visitors.
November 18: Attended Lansing Historical Association meeting.
November 18: Asked to fill the open position of Vice President of the Lansing Historical
Association.
November 19: Community planning meeting for the U.S. 250th Anniversary (6:00 PM).
November: Accepted donation of an antique cabbage shredder delivered by Cathy Moseley Moore
from the Benson family.
Began transcription of Noble Keeney’s 1914 journal, a Lansing farmer and veteran, including
research on his wife Ella Bacon Keeney, his in-laws the Bacon family, and Ella's grandparents the
Teeters, who are frequently referred to in the journal.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
2
DECEMBER 2025
December 3: Applied for New York State Library / NYSLCE Municipal Historian Library Card.
December 4: Library card application approved.
December 5: Placed simple holiday decorations for the archive building.
December 6: Archive building open with Historian as host during the Artisan Craft Fair from 10:00
AM to 3:00 PM; 12 visitors, plus 5 additional individuals who stopped in while seeking the craft fair.
Shared information about the archive building, local history resources, and Lansing Historical
Association membership.
December 6: Accepted donations from Cory Baker, including Cayuga Rock/Cargill memorabilia,
diploma, wedding announcement, Crew Mine Rescue jacket, and related materials.
Promoted books by past Town of Lansing historians and local authors.
December 12: Researched Genoa Tribune issues from 100 years ago for Lansing-related news.
Created museum description cards for the Treman Cider Mill and a donated cabbage shredder.
December 18: Researching and getting quotes for the cost of five banners to display along Auburn
Road to commemorate the United States 250th Anniversary celebration.
Continued transcription and research related to Noble Keeney and the Keeney and Bacon family
histories.
Ongoing review and setup of historian email accounts and correspondence.
Archive Visitor Log (July–December 2025)
Date Time Number of
Visitors Notes
August 26, 2025 4:30–6:00 PM 1 Evening open hours
September 30,
2025 4:15–6:30 PM 2 Evening open hours
October 21, 2025 4:15–6:30 PM 3 Evening open hours
November 8,
2025
10:00 AM–
12:00 PM 2 Second Saturday visitors; interest in historic
signage
November 18,
2025 4:15–6:30 PM 2 Evening open hours
December 6,
2025
10:00 AM–3:00
PM 17 Artisan Fair open house; includes 5 visitors
seeking craft fair
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
3
Ongoing Monthly Activities
Archive Access
The archive building is open for research on the second Saturday of each month from 10:00 AM–
12:00 PM, thanks to archive volunteers Ann Drake and Joan Hass.
The archive building is also open on the last Tuesday of each month from 4:15–6:30 PM, hosted by
the Town Historian.
The archive is also open by appointment with the Town Historian or volunteers. Visitors are welcome
by contacting the Historian directly; email is the preferred method:
townhistorian@lansingtownny.gov.
County and Local Meetings
Brainstorming meetings with a variety of Lansing community members and organizations for 250th
anniversary planning
Regular attendance at Tompkins County Historian and Municipal Historian meetings, held on the
second Saturday of the month.
Lansing Historical Association meetings attended in July, September, and November 2025.
Membership in New York State historian organizations such as The Association of Public
Historians of New York State.
Public Engagement and Outreach
Active presence on social media (Instagram and Facebook) with the assistance of Cathy Moseley and
Cory Baker.
Promotion of public use of archival resources and local history awareness.
Research and Preservation Efforts
Transcription and digitization of Noble Keeney’s 1914 journal, with plans to share entries in the
Lansing Historical Association newsletter.
Research into Ludlowville history, abolitionist activity, early Lansing families, Portland Point, and
historic maps near Breed Road.
Preservation and organization of newly donated materials, yearbooks, and school-related artifacts.
Plans to return historic schoolbooks to the one-room schoolhouse collection.
Goal to implement History Forge, a community history program in Ithaca that allows residents to
contribute personal stories, documents, and photographs to a shared digital archive, increasing
public engagement and preservation of local history.
Planning for the U.S. 250th Anniversary
Participation in community planning meetings.
Outreach to educators and community members.
Initial research into banners, potential murals, and other commemorative projects.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
4
Needs and Goals for 2026
Laptop and software for archival work
Printer/copier/scanner and supplies (ink)
Archival sheets and storage boxes
Membership in New York State municipal historian organizations
Banners and materials for U.S. 250th anniversary events
Continued development of digitization workspace within the archive building
Implementation of History Forge program to engage the Lansing community in documenting and
preserving local history
Conclusion
The latter half of 2025 has been a period of strong foundation-building for the Town Historian’s office.
Through increased public access, preservation efforts, research, and planning for future commemorations, I
look forward to continuing this work in 2026 in collaboration with town officials, volunteers, and the Lansing
community.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
5